The Zanzibar leopard has initially been described as a leopard subspecies (Panthera pardus adersi) by Pocock in 1932. Following genetic analysis in the 1990s, this population is grouped with the African leopard (P. p. pardus).This population used to inhabit the Unguja Island in the Zanzibar archipelago, part of Tanzania, but is possibly extinct. Increasing conflict between people and leopards in the 20th century led to their demonization and determined attempts to exterminate them.